Attorney General's News Release

April 25, 2008

St. Louis home repairman who defrauded homeowners sentenced to four years on charge prosecuted by Nixon

Clayton, Mo. - A St. Louis County man who defrauded homeowners in the sale and installation of hardwood and tile flooring and carpeting was sentenced today to four years in prison. Robert Ciralsky (DOB - 10/9/65), owner of Tile Town, also paid the last of the $15,000 in restitution to his five victims in the case today, after which Circuit Judge John Ross suspended his prison sentence and placed him on five years probation.

Ciralsky was indicted in February 2007 on the charge of unlawful merchandising practices by the St. Louis County grand jury at the request of Attorney General Jay Nixon. According to the indictment, Ciralsky took advance payment to perform home repair work but then failed to purchase the materials or complete the work. This included an allegation he was paid a deposit of $9,500 by one customer in July 2005 to install flooring, but never delivered or installed the flooring.

Judge Ross also ordered that Ciralsky, as conditions of his probation, have no contacts with the victims in the case, perform 100 hours of alternative community service within the first year of probation and be prohibited from owning or managing any business in which the defendant would have control over the finances.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818